Home page

Bushland Activities page (blog)

Newsletters

Guided Walks

Flora of Shenton Bushland

Fauna of Shenton Bushland

Fungi of Shenton Bushland

Seminars and Publications

Bushland Management Strategies

Want to get involved?

Coming Events

Bush to Beach Walk

Contacts

Newsletter archive:

• May 2005
• March 2005
• Nov 2004
• Sept 2004
• July 2004
• May 2004
• March 2004
• Dec 2003
• Sept 2003
• July 2003
• May 2003
• March 2003
• January 2003
• Nov 2002
• Sept 2002
• July 2002
• May 2002
• March 2002
• January 2002
• Nov 2001
• Sept 2001
• July 2001
• May 2001
• March 2001
• January 2001
• Dec 2000

Newsletter #35 September 2001

Planting along the buried power line (photo: Janice Marshall)

Spring in the bushland

Donkey orchids

The displays of donkey orchids early in September seemed to be more prolific than usual this year. They were quite spectacular. It would be interesting to know if the bushland is home to more than one species as there seems to be quite a variation in the colour patterns.

New species of mammal observed

A new species of mammal (believed to be Humanoides adolescentus var Shenton Collegii) has been observed constructing nests in dense vegetation along the new path close to the Shenton College boundary. No other breeding behaviour has been observed yet and we hope their numbers will not increase. Although harmless to visitors to the bushland, we are concerned that they may start fires through carelessly dropped cigarettes and create tracks by taking short-cuts through the bushland (they have left a trail of long yellow plastic ribbon tags along one of their tracks). We collected the ribbon and plan to use it in a more useful role in management activities!

Activities in the bushland

Third Thursday

Kate Brown will be working with the Green Corps team on 20th September, scoring the watsonia quadrats to see the effectiveness of control methods over the past two years. The Green Corps team will again be providing a great service by applying herbicide to the persistent watsonias. A half hectare infestation needs lots of hands to make an impact.
Next month (18th October), activity will probably turn to seed collecting. Several reconstruction sites around the bushland need to have the diversity of species increased, either by direct seeding or by planting tube stock.
To take part in Kate's Thursday morning sessions, come along at 9 am to the Lemnos Street entrance, opposite the Cat Haven. We provide refreshments for morning tea.
Last month, as we were setting up morning tea, a raven made off with a cake of soap from the hand washing basin. Luckily the muffins and morning tea goodies were covered up!

Nedlands Council

Cat control

Nedlands council had cats on its agenda at a recent meeting (August 28th). Dani addressed councillors asking for community consultation and powers for the Council Ranger to deal with cats in bushland areas. Council agreed to defer discussion until community groups were consulted.

Plantings

The peppermints (Agonis flexuosa) planted around the perimeter of the Shenton College bushland may soon find a home elsewhere. Tim Halls, Manager of Parks, has agreed to replace them. He did not accept an alternative of Banksia sp as being suitable and suggested Eucalyptus ficifolia instead.

Council bushcare group policy

The Nedlands Council Bushcare Groups policy is currently being reviewed by the Council. This policy documents the relationship between Nedlands Council and Friends groups looking after bushland areas within the City of Nedlands.
The Friends of Shenton Bushland have suggested changes to the existing policy. If you are interested in viewing the existing policy, or the submission of the Friends of Shenton Bushland, contact Dani (9381 3470).

News

Shenton Recreation Park

The University of Western Australia has proposed that the Lemnos Hospital site be used as a recreation park. Under this proposal a swimming pool and hockey fields will be built for use by Shenton College and the wider community.
Since this proposal involves facilities located adjacent to the bushland the Friends of Shenton Bushland have submitted suggestions to ensure outcomes that are satisfactory to all. Contact Dani if you wish to see our suggestions.

Membership

Membership of the Friends of Shenton Bushland continues to decline as people who campaigned so hard to save the bushland move on to other interests. Our challenge is to attract new members - people who are interested in the process of long-term bushland maintenance.
How can we make ourselves relevant to the wider community? How can we attract the many people working nearby who walk through the bushland during their lunch hour? Your ideas are needed!

Archives

A valuable folder of documents and many photographs from the early campaign days have been added to the archives by Greg and Sue Boland.
If you have any old boxes under the bed that you'd like to add, please contact Dani on 9381 3470.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Thursday 20th September at 7.30 pm at 2/233 Hensman Road, Shenton Park. All welcome.

This newsletter is produced by the Friends of Shenton Bushland.
Contributions by Janice Marshall, and Daniel Boase-Jelinek.